The aim of this study was to investigate the role of technology roadmapping within
commercial and industrial domains at a sector or industry wide level, and to develop
an information model that could be used to enhance the generic technology
roadmapping process.
The study focused on the development of version three of the Foresight Vehicle
technology roadmap to support the development of low carbon vehicles in a global
marketplace. The development of a ‘real’ sector level technology roadmap enabled
ideas in relation to data collection elements to be tested, especially in terms of
personnel, participants and publication channels.
The various tools currently used to develop technology roadmaps were identified and
assessed for their suitability for use in this study. A mixture of data collection
techniques were used to generate data and investigate the process of developing a core
data set, associated data, as well as the identification of the relationship between
potentially disparate items of information.
FV Thematic Group members took part in workshops to elicit data, inform the
evolution of the data collection process and inform the development of the
information protocol. Results from the data collection exercise indicated that not all
technology issues were technology focused, non technology issues presented a
challenge not only in terms of representation but of ownership as well. Tools such as
Technology Readiness Levels were adapted and utilised to create a ‘rich picture’ of
multi-dimensional and customised roadmap views.
The study presents an information protocol to support the development of technology
roadmaps primarily in a digital format and considers elements such as data collection,
information management, preservation, representation, scope and validation,.
The findings of this study suggest that the development of a generic information
model to support the technology roadmapping process is timely and that inclusion of
all elements of the protocol lead to the development of a technology roadmap that is
fit for purpose.

Description:

A Master's Thesis. Submitted in partial fulfilment of the requirements for the award of Master of Philosophy of Loughborough University.